Dispenser



y 1957 J. c. ANDERSON 2,792,969

I DISPENSER Filed July 8, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. JOHN G.ANDERSON ATTORN y 1957 J. c. ANDERSON 2,792,969

DISPENSER Filed July 8, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

JOHN G. ANDERSON BY May 21, 1957 J. c. ANDERSON DISPENSER s Sheefs-Sheet5 Filed July 8, 1955.

BYJOHN 0. ANDERSON- AT OR United States Patent This invention relates toa dispenser, and is concerned.

particularly with the dispensing of liquids supplied initially in sealedcans or containers to be punctured for 1 release of the contents.Various materials such as lubricating oils are commonly packaged in themanner stated, and may be dispensed by means of the device of thepresent invention.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensivedispenser of liquids, which embodies improved means for juncturing andembracing a standard sealed can from which a liquid is to be displacedunder pressure.

I Another object is to structurally improve a dispenser of the characterstated, with a view to increasing its serviceability and durability, andgenerally enhancing the desirability for performance of the dispensingfunction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dis penser of the kindreferred to, embodying improved means to so accommodate a standard canof liquid to be dispensed, as to preclude leakage and possibleaccidental displacement of the can from the dispensing apparatus.

Another object is to facilitate proper application of the dispenser to asealed can, so that without waste of time or effort, the device isprepared for instant use.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means disclosedherein and illustrated upon the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the dispenser of the invention,showing it applied to a can.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the dispenser.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4of Fig. 2, and showing the dispenser in position for application to acan.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 4, showing thedispenser in final position upon a can, and ready for use.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 4.

In the drawings, 8 indicates a standard can or container carrying aliquid which may be a lubricating oil or other fluid, commonly packagedin sealed condition to insure the quality and purity of the contentsuntil such time as it reaches the purchaser. The can usually iscylindrical in form, and has a lid 9 permanently applied so thatmutilation of the lid or some other part of the can must be resorted to,for gaining access to the contents of the can. It is considereddesirable, when the liquid is to be dispensed at intervals, to permitthe liquid to.remain in theoriginal container until it is empty, and tothen discard the container. In line with this practice, a dispenser ismade available for application to the original container with facilityand dispatch, and includes means for puncturing the lid and for pumpingthe contents from thecontainer until such time as the container isempty. In the interim, the dispenser is firmly attached to thecontainer, but may be instantly detached therefrom I when desired, forapplication to another and similar container.

The dispenser itself comprises a bonnet 10 including a skirt 12 ofsubstantial depth, to serve as a guide when introducing the can 8 intothe lower open end 13 thereof as depicted by Fig. 4. The head or top 14'of the bonnet carries upon its outer or upper face a pumping apparatusindicated generally bythe character 15, and upon its inner or lower facea piercing tube, or cutter 16, the purpose of which is to form anopening in the can top as the bonnet is forced downwardly over the can.The upper rim 17 of the can when fully inserted into the bonnet, engagesa sealing gasket 18 of neoprene or other suitable material, disposedupon an interior ledge or shoulder 19 of the bonnet in position tocircumferentially abut the can rim 116. The can normally is held firmlyagainst the gasket 18, as illustrated by Fig. 5, by means to bedescribed later herein.

The pumping apparatus, indicated generally by the character 15, maycomprise a cast or molded body, preferably of metal, bored at one end toprovide a pump cylinder 19 in which may be reciprocated a plunger heador piston 20. A compression spring 21 in the pump cylinder performs toyieldingly maintain the plunger head in the retracted position shown inthe drawings, whereas by means of the plunger rod 22 and the button 23fixed to the latter, the plunger head may be advanced manually withinthe cylinder, against the opposition of the spring 21. As will readilybe understood, an operator wishing to actuate the pump will grasp thehandle 24, and depress the plunger button with the thumb. The

handle 24 may be welded, soldered, or otherwise fixedly secured to theskirt of the bonnet at the locations 2S--25.

A counterbore 26 in the pump body is in fluid communicative relationshipwith the inner end of the pump cylinder or bore 19, and constitutes apressure chamber from which fluid is expelled past the upper check valve27 and through the dispenser spout 28. For supplying fluid tothepressure chamber 26, an intake tube 29 is provided (Fig. 5), thistube in the operative position being extended downwardly to a locationnear the bottom of can 8 as shown. The lower end of the tube is open,and carries a hollow housing 30 containing a foot valve,

the purpose of which is to permit unidirectional flow of liquid from thecan into the lower open end 31 of the intake tube. The foot valveinsures maintaining a head of liquid in the intake tube irrespective ofthe level of liquid within the can 8. Such valve may be of any approvedtype, an example of which is shown comprising a check ball 32 yieldinglymaintained on an annular seat 33 within the housing 30, by means of alight compression spring 34. Liquid flowing upwardly past the foot valveis released into chamber 26 through holes 35 in thetube, such holesbeing adequate in size and number to equal or exceed the carryingcapacity of the tube 29, by preference.

From the foregoing, and referring to Fig. 5, it will readily be evidentthat repeated reciprocation of the pump plunger will serve to withdrawliquid from the can by suction, with each retractile movement of theplunger head; then with each advancement of the plunger head, the liquidso withdrawn and lodged within the compression chamber 26, will beforced by the plunger action to unseat and pass the upper check ball 27,whence the' liquid will be dispensed through the spout 28. It will benoted that the liquid in chamber 26, when placed under pressure by theplunger head, must necessarily pass to the spout, since it is precludedfrom returning to the can, by the action of check valve 32.

The upper 'check valve ball 27 normally rests upon. a seat 36' providedby the small bore 37 which communi:

cates with the chamber 26, and said ball may be suitably caged topreclude accidental loss thereof should the spout locking nut 38 beunscrewed at its threaded connection 39. To cage the ball, a suitableretainer 40 may be tightly fitted within the ball chamber or outlet port41, at a distance above the ball suflicient to permitunseating thereof.The specific nature of the retainer is unimportant to the presentinvention, and it need only be such as to permit unrestricted flow ofliquid past the valve ball 27 and into the spout. The character 42indicates a Washer of fiber or the like, to preclude leakage of liquidabout the. flange 43 of the spout.

Referring now to'Figs. 4 and 5, it will be'noted that the intake tube 29is ,reciprocable relative to the pump body, from the inoperativeelevated'position of Fig. 4, to the operative 'or lowered position ofFig. 5. The primary purpose of this construction is to permitdisplacement of the lower end of the intake tube, and its foot valve, toa location within the confines of the piercing tube or cutter 16, wherethe foot valve will be protected against damage as the cutter is forcedthrough the can lid 9 incident to application of the dispenser to thecan body. After the piercing tube or cutter 16 has penetrated the lidand disposed the cut-outor tab 44 to one side, as indicated upon Fig. 5,the intake tube 29 may be lowered to the operative position of Fig. andsecured in that position.

In mounting the intake tube 29 for reciprocation as above set forth, thepump body may be provided with a pairof vertically aligned bores 45 and46, the latter being properly dimensioned to snugly but slidably receivethe intake tube. To preclude leakage of liquid from chamber 26downwardly along the intake tube, a suitable seal is provided about thetube, which seal conveniently may be formed by counter-boring thedepending neck 47 of the pump body, as at 48, and seating in thecounter-bore an O ring 49 and a retainer 50, as shown. The other bore 45may be made larger in diameter than the bore 46, to receive therein aplug 51, which may constitute part of the head 52 carried by the upperend 53 of the intake tube. In the preferred form of the invention, theplug portion 51 of the head is externally threaded as at 54, and thebore 45 is complementarily threaded at 55, so that the head may besecurely attached to the pump body by means of the threaded connectionthereby provided. A washer 56 of fiber or other suitable material may beapplied to the head about the plug portion as shown, to preclude leakageof liquid upwardly about the intake tube or the plug. As will beunderstood, the head 52 is closely fitted to the upper end of the intaketube, as by means of a pressed fit or otherwise. When the intake tube islowered and secured in the operative position of Fig. 5, the foot valveshould be disposed slightly above the bottom of the can 8, as shown.

The piercing tube or cutter 16 may be substantially cylindrical in form,and should preferably have at one end a sharpened cutting edge 57inclined obliquely to the axis of the tube so as to cut with aprogressive shearing'action when pressed against the can lid 9. Toprevent complete severance of the tab or cut-out 44 from the can lid,the cutting edge of the piercing tube may be rounded or blunted at onepoint, such as 157, where no actual shearing may take place as thepiercing tube penetrates the lid. The tab or cut-out will thereby remainattached to the lid as shown at 44 of Fig. 5, where it may not interferewith operation of the foot valve. The upper end of the piercing tubeincludes means for attaching said tube to the lower or inner face of thebonnet 14, which means may be in the form of cars or lugs 58 perforatedto receive screws or other fasteners 59 passing through the bonnet andanchored in the pump body at 60. The neck 47 of the pump body provideslateral support for the piercing tube, and lends rigidity thereto. Theman- 4 ner of attaching the piercing tube to the bonnet .is of coursesubject to modification within the skill of the mechanic, however, it isimportant to note that the piercing tube has no connection whatever withthe intake tube 29, and consequently, no stresses or strains resultingfrom cutting through the can lid may be transmitted to the intake tube.Accordingly, the likelihood of bending or otherwise damaging the intaketube is efiectively minimized with this construction, and if desired,the intake tube may be fabricated from light metal without sacrificingserviceability or efliciency of the dispenser.

For a disclosure of the means employed to hold the can 8 in positionrelative to the dispenser, reference is made to Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Asshown, a pair of yokes or hangers 61 embrace opposite sides of the can,and each includes a pair of inwardly directed fingers 62 adapted to hookunder the lower rim or bead of the can. Intermediate the fingers, and ata higher elevation upon each yoke, is provided a hinge barrel 63 inwhich is hingedly supported an end bearing 64 of a wire spring 65. Thespring may be made substantially elliptical in configuration, withupwardly extending arms 66'--66 slightly arched or curved, andterminating in inturned ends 67--67 pivotally attached to the sideplates 68-68 of the yoke latch 69. The yoke latch itself has pivotalconnection at 70 upon the skirt 12 of the bonnet, and may be swungarcuately downwardly from the Fig. 2 position, for relaxing the tensionof the latch spring and releasing the can bottom from the grasp of theyoke fingers 62. The can 8 then may be lowered from the interior ofskirt 12 and disassociated from the dispenser.

It may be noted that the hinge point at 69 is so located upon the sideplate of the latch, as to be dis posed off-center with respect to thehinge points 70 and 64, thereby to render the latch self-locking in theoperative position. That is, when a can is initially supported upon theyoke hooks, and the latches are subsequently swung upwardly about theirpivots 70, the yoke springs pass over and beyond the hinges or pivots 70with a snap action induced by the tension of the latch springs 65, andthe resiliency of the springs thereupon holds the latches in operativeposition against the skirt 12, as shown in Fig. 2. The form of canretainer herein disclosed is simple and effective, and may bemanipulated with ease and dispatch to effect can replacements.

The operation of the device is as follows: to prepare the dispenser forapplication to a sealed can, the operator first makes certain that theintake tube 29 is in the elevated position of Fig. 4, where thefootvalve 30 is drawn completely up into the protective confines of thepiercing tube 16. Then with the yokes 61 swung outwardly to avoidinterference, the dispenser is lowered bodily over an upstanding sealedcan, with the top portion of the can received in the lower open end ofthe skirt 12, which guides the can in perfect concentricity with theskirt while the piercing tube 16 cuts through the can lid.

When the dispenser has assumed the fully lowered posi-' tion of Fig. 5,with the upper rim of the can abutting the gasket 18, the operatorswings the yokes 61 toward the can and places the fingers 62 under thelower rim of the can. Then by swinging the latches 69--69 upwardly untilthe latches pass the dead center of pivots 70, the can is held securelyagainst the gasket 18 to effect a seal about the upper rim of the can.

The dispenser having been attached to the can as above explained, theoperator lowers the intake tube 29 into the can and secures it in placeby rotating the cap or head 52 until a tight joint is effected'at thebore 45, Fig. 5. The foot valve 34 will then be located near the bottomof the can. This completes the assembly, and places theapparatus incondition for use. 7 The first inward stroke of the pump plunger will ofcourse displace air from the chambers 19 and 26, but the return-strokeinduced by greases the spring 21, will create a partial vacuum ornegative pressure in the chambers, causing an upward flow of liquid pastthe foot valve 34 and through the intake tube, which spills the liquidinto the chambers 26 and 19 through the ports 35. A subsequentadvancement of the pump plunger by the operator will result in unseatingthe valve 27, and delivery of liquid from the free open end of thespout. Thenceforth, manipulation of the pump alternately fills thechambers 26 and 19, and discharges the liquid therefrom through thespout.

To allow atmospheric pressure to reach the inside of the can with eachadvancement of the pump plunger, a small hole 72 may be provided in theforward portion of the bonnet. Atmospheric air entering the hole findsits way into the can through the opening formed in the can lid by thepiercing tube, this opening being of course unsealed and thereforecapable of venting the can. Similarly, a breather hole 73 may beprovided in the wall of the pump body, behind the plunger head 20, toallow for entry and displacement of atmospheric air at that point,during the reciprocative movements of the plunger head.

The device as herein disclosed embodies various improvements andadvantages over known devices of a similar nature. For example, thevalve arrangement provided insures maintenance of a head of liquid inthe spout and chambers 26-19 at all times, so that the dispenser isalways primed or conditioned for immediate delivery of fluid without theneed for excessive pumping to initiate the flow. As was previouslypointed out, the complete independency of the intake tube from thepiercing tube or cutter, and the relative disposition of these elementsas disclosed, insures adequate protection for these parts with theresult that the useful life of the dispenser is prolonged and itsserviceability enhanced. It should be observed in thi connection, thatthe skirt 12 of the bonnet is deeper than the length of the piercingtube, and completely surrounds the same, so that any mishandling orabuse of the dispenser while separated from a can, is unlikely to causedamage to the piercing tube. Likewise, the check valve end of theretractable intake tube is assured protection against damage, by reasonof its disposition within the confines of the skirt and the piercingtube, when the dispenser is detached from the can. These and otheradvantages previously mentioned herein characterize the device of thepresent invention, and distinguish it from previously known devices of akindred nature.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes in thestructural details of the device may be made, within the scope of theappended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser of fluid for application to a sealed standard can havingtop, bottom, and side walls, said dispenser comprising in combination,an inverted cup-shaped bonnet including a deep circumferential skirt anda perforated top wall spanning the skirt, the skirt being dimensioned tosnugly but slidably receive one end of a can, a gasket within the skirtto abut said can end, and elongate pump body fixed to the top wall ofthe bonnet, said pump body being bored longitudinally to provide aplunger chamberja fluid pressure chamber, and an outlet port, all influid communication, a spout associated with the outlet port, and aone-way check valve in the outlet port precluding flow of fluid from thespout toward the pressure chamber, the pump body being boredtransversely through the pressure chamber to provide a pair of axiallyaligned openings to accommodate a slidable intake tube, an elongateintake tube of uniform external diameter slidably received in saidaligned openings and shiftable completely through the pump body from anelevated inoperative position to a lowered operative position, theintake tube having upper and lower end portions, the upper end portionbeing laterally apertured to place the interior of'the tube incommunication with the pressure chamber when the tube is lowered to theoperative posi tion, a one-way check valve on the lower end portion ofthe tube precluding gravitation of fluid within the tube, the checkvalve last mentioned being confined within the limits of the skirt whenthe intake tube is fully elevated, means including a plunger head withinthe plunger chamber, actuatable to alternately create pressure and avacuum in the plunger chamber and the pressure chamber, and a fixedcan-piercing tube depending from the bonnet, said piercing tubesurrounding the check valve of the intake tube when the latter isdisposed to the fully elevated inoperative position.

2. Adispenser as specified in claim 1, in which the combination includesa head fixed on the upper end of the intake tube, and means detachablysecuring the head to the plunger body in the lowered operative positionof the intake tube.

3. A dispenser of fluid for application to a sealed standard can havingtop, bottom, and side walls, said dispenser comprising in combination,an inverted cup-shaped bonnet including a deep circumferential skirt anda perforated top wall spanning the skirt, the skirt being dimensioned tosnugly but slidably receive one end of a can, a gasket within the skirtto abut said can end, an elongate pump body fixed to the top wall of thebonnet, said pump body being bored longitudinally to provide a plungerchamber, a fluid pressure chamber, and an outlet port, all in fluidcommunication, a spout associated with the outlet port, and a one-waycheck valve in theoutlet port precluding flowof fluid from the spouttoward the pressure chamber, the pump body being bored transverselythrough the pressure chamber to provide a pair of axially alignedopenings to accommodate a slidable intake tube, an elongate intake tubeslidably received in said aligned openings and shiftable completelythrough the pump body from an elevated inoperative position to a loweredoperative position, the intake tube having upper and lower end portions,

the upper end portion being laterally apertured to place the interior ofthe tube in communication with the pressure chamber when the tube islowered to the operative,

position, a one-way check valve on the lower end portion of thetube,precluding gravitation of fluid within the tube, the check valve lastmentioned being confined within the limits of the skirt when the intaketube is fully elevated, means including a plunger head within theplunger chamber, actuatable to selectively create pressure and a vacuumin the plunger chamber, and the pressure chamber, a substantiallycylindrical elongate can-piercing tube, and means for fixing saidpiercing tube to the bonnet in substantial concentricity with the intaketube, the length of the piercing tube being greater than the length ofthe intake tube check valve, and less than the depth of thecircumferential skirt of the bonnet, said piercing tube being of adiameter to receive and house the valve of the intake tube in latter.

4. A dispenser as specified in claim 3, in which the combinationincludes a head fixed on the upper end of the intake tube, and meansassociated with said head to etfect a fluid-tight seal between theintake tube and the pump body.

5. A dispenser for fluid for application to a sealed standard can havingtop, bottom, and side walls, said dispenser comprising in combination,an inverted. cup-shaped bonnet including a deep circumferential skirt.and a perforatcd top wall spanning the skirt, the skirt beingdimensioned to snugly but slidably receive one end of a can, means fordetachably securing the can within the skirt, an elongate pump bodyfixed to the underside of the top wall of the bonnet, a depending neckon the body extended through the perforation in the bonnet top wall,said pump body being bored longitudinally to provide a plunger chamber,a fluid pressure chamber, and an outlet port, all in fluidcommunication, a spout associated with the elevated inoperative positionof the the outlet port, and a one-way check valve precluding flow offluid from the spout toward the pressure chamber, the pump body beingbored transversely through the pressure chamber and longitudinallythrough the depending neck of the body, to provide a pair of axiallyaligned openings to accommodate a slidable intake tube, an elongateintake tube slidably received in said aligned openings and shiftablecompletely through the pump body from an elevated inoperative positionto a lowered operative position, the intake tube having upper and lowerend portions, the upper end portion being laterally apertured to placethe interior of the tube in communication with the pressure chamber whenthe tube is lowered to the operative position, a one-way check valve onthe lower end portion of the tube precluding gravitation of fluid withinthe tube, means including a plunger head within the plunger chamber,actuatable to alternately create pressure and a vacuum in the plungerchamber and the pressure chamber, and an elongate fixed can-piercingtube surrounding the pump body neck and depending therefrom, the lengthof the piercing tube being greater than the length of the intake tubecheck valve, and less than the depth of the circumferential skirt of thebonnet, said piercing tube being enlarged suificiently in diameter toreceive and house the check valve of the intake tube in the elevatedposition of the latter.

6. A dispenser as specified in claim 5, in which is ill- 7. A dispenserof fluid for application to a sealed standard'can having top, bottom,and side walls, said dispenser comprising in combination, a bonnetincluding a deep circumferential skirt and a perforated top wallspanning the skirt, the skirt being dimensioned to slidably receive oneend of a can, means for detachably securing the can within the skirt, anelongate pump body fixed to the underside of the top wall of the bonnet,said pump body being bored to provide a fluid pressure chamber and anoutlet port in fluid communication, a spout associated with the outletport, and a one-way check valve precluding flow of fluid from the spouttoward the pressure chamber, the pump body being bored transverselythrough the pressure chamber to provide a pair of axially alignedopenings to aecommodate a slidable intake tube, an elongate intake tubeslidably received in said aligned openings and shiftable completelythrough the pump body from an elevated inoperative position to a loweredoperative position, the

intake tube having upper and lower end portions, the I upper end portionbeing laterally apertured to place the interior of the tubeincommunication with the pressure chamber when the tube is lowered to theoperative position, a one-way check valve on the lower end portion ofthe tube precluding retrograde movement of fluid within the tube, meansto create alternate positive and negative pressures within the pressurechamber, and a stationary elongate can-piercing tube fixed relative tothe pump body, and depending into the skirt in encircling relationshipto the intake tube,said piercing tube being supported by the pump bodyindependently of said intake tube.

8. A dispenser of fluid for application to a sealed can, comprising incombination a bonnet including a deep circumferential skirt and aperforated top wall spanning the skirt, the skirt being'dimensioned toslidably receive one end of a can, means for detachably securing the canwithin the skirt, an elongate pump body fixed to the top wall, said pumpbody being bored to provide a fluid pressure chamber and an outlet portinfluid communication, a spout associated with the outlet port, and aone- Way check valve precluding flow of fluid from the spout toward thepressure chamber, the pump body being bored transversely through saidchamber to provide a pair of axially aligned openings to accommodate aslidable intake tube, an elongate intake tube slidably received in saidaligned openings and shiftable completely through the pump body from anelevated inoperative position to a lowered operative position, theintake tube having upper and lower end portions, the upper end portionbeing laterally apertured to register with the pressure chamber when thetube is lowered, a one-way check valve on the lower end portion of thetube precluding retrograde fluid movement within the tube, means tocreate positive and negative pressures within the pressure chamber, anda stationary elongate ean-piercing tube fixed relative to the pump body,and depending into the skirt in encircling relationship to the intaketube, said can-piercing tube being of sufficient length to completelyhouse the check valve of the intake tube when the latter is disposed tothe lowered operative position, and the skirt being of sufficient depthto house the can-piercing tube in all positions of the intake tube.

9. A dispenser of fluid for application to a sealed eontainer having atop, and comprising in combination, a pump body bored to provide a fluidpressure chamber and an outlet port in fluid communication, a spoutassociated with'the outlet port, and a one-way check valve precludingflow of fluid-from the spout toward the pressure chamber, acircumferential open-ended skirt depending from the pump body toaccommodate one end of a container, and means for detachably securingthe container within the skirt, means within the skirt for forming anopening in the top as the container is forced into the open end of theskirt, the pump body being bored transversely through the pressurechamber to provide a pair of axially aligned openings to register withthe opening formed in the container top, an elongate intake tubeslidably received in said aligned openings and siiiftable completelythrough the pump body from an elevated inoperative position to a loweredoperative position, the intake tube having upper and lower end portions,the upper end portion being apertured to place the interior of the tubein communication with the pressure chamber when the tube is lowered tooperative position, a one-way check valve on the lower end portion ofthe intake tube precluding retrograde movement of fluid through thetube, and manual means to selectively create positive and negativepressures Within the pressure chamber.

. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

